The drive to campsites around Hunt Valley crosses diverse terrain from Maryland's Piedmont region at 300-400 feet elevation to higher ground approaching 800 feet in nearby Pennsylvania. Summer camping temperatures average 80-90°F with higher humidity, while fall brings moderate 60-70°F days with cooler evenings. Campgrounds within 30 miles offer both shaded wooded sites and open fields with varying degrees of privacy between campsites.
What to do
Fishing access: 10 feet from campsite. At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, waterfront sites place you steps from fishing opportunities. "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge," notes Janet P. about Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina.
Farm animal interaction: 7 days weekly. Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm offers unique camping with daily animal feeding sessions. "We came amidst COVID-19, so the many activities and events this location usually holds are down, BUT there is still fun to be had here! We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," shares Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm.
Historic sites: 10-minute drive. Gettysburg Campground provides convenient access to battlefield tours. "Really nice place. Recommend a site by the creek. Cool laid back staff and clean bathrooms nice playground for kids. Not to mention it's a few minute drive to historic Gettysburg. It's nice and out of the way of the busy parts of town," explains Brandon W.
What campers like
Creek-side campsites: limited availability. Gettysburg Campground offers premium water-adjacent sites. "It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river. not far to go anywhere walking. porta potties were cleanest I have ever seen even with a ton of recent rain," writes Kelly J. about Gettysburg Campground.
Indoor pool access: year-round swimming. Thousand Trails Circle M provides all-weather swimming options. "We first had a 2 point site near the river, but when it rains the sites get flooded with runoff from the campground. We moved to a full hookup on the Delaware section. Open, accommodating for our rig. There is an indoor pool and spa (spa closed due to Covid)," says Kasey M. about Thousand Trails Circle M.
Washington DC proximity: 30 minutes. Cherry Hill Park serves as an excellent base for capital exploration. "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person," describes Jennifer H.
What you should know
Cell service variability: carrier-dependent. At Round Top Campground, connectivity remains reliable for remote work. "Cell coverage was good (att & Verizon), so we had no issues working. Good location to head into the Amish country, Harrisburg, Hershey and/or Gettysburg. We also drove out to Baltimore one day during our stay," notes C O. about Ben Franklin RV Park.
Golf cart traffic: high on weekends. Drummer Boy Camping Resort becomes busy with vehicle traffic during peak times. "We camped here in May for Memorial Day weekend. We usually avoid holidays but gave this campground a try. It was pretty full and everyone seemed to have a golf cart. They were constantly driving past our site. This is the first time I've stayed where there were so many golf carts. It was a bit noisy," reports Laure D.
Site elevation challenges: bring levelers. Some Hunt Valley area campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Site was unlevel and poorly maintained," reports Charles S. about Round Top Campground, while other reviewers note similar challenges at multiple locations. Many recommend bringing extra leveling blocks, especially for larger RVs.
Tips for camping with families
Mini golf: $5 per person average cost. Multiple campgrounds near Hunt Valley offer miniature golf courses with varying conditions. "The park is close to Washington DC and offers a concierge service for tours and things to do. On site are pools, splash pad, rv supplies and repair parts, a snack bar and lots more," mentions Scott C. about Cherry Hill Park.
Themed weekends: book 3-4 months ahead. Drummer Boy Camping Resort hosts special events throughout the camping season. "They have themed weekend events, live music, bingo, golf cart parades, and potluck," notes Nancy W. about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Playground options: limited at some locations. Assess play area availability when booking with children. "In my opinion as a mom of small kids maybe the worst part was that there was only 1 playground, it was all the way at the front of the campground (we had to drive to it) and it was very junky and run down. In a campground that size I would expect at least 2 playgrounds," warns Chelsea about Drummer Boy Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Sewer hookup positioning: check before setup. Varying hookup placement affects drainage efficiency. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," warns Nancy W.
Site selection strategy: book end sites. Choose corner locations for more privacy in tight campgrounds. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side. The landscaping, trees and site placement does help the esthetics," advises Scott C.
Fall camping considerations: acorn hazards. Seasonal tree debris can impact camping comfort. "One of the drawbacks of this campground is that a lot of the trees are black walnut trees and the squirrels do not shy away from dropping the walnuts like bombs on your head, car, or table when you're preparing breakfast," cautions Dave G.
